Thursday of the Third Week in Advent, 15 December, 2022

 Gospel Lk 7:24-30

When the messengers of John the Baptist had left,

Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John. 

“What did you go out to the desert to see,  a reed swayed by the wind? 

Then what did you go out to see? 

Someone dressed in fine garments? 

Those who dress luxuriously and live sumptuously

are found in royal palaces. 

Then what did you go out to see? 

A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 

This is the one about whom Scripture says:

 Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,

 he will prepare your way before you. I tell you,

among those born of women, no one is greater than John;

yet the least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he.”

(All the people who listened, including the tax collectors,

who were baptized with the baptism of John,

acknowledged the righteousness of God;

but the Pharisees and scholars of the law,

who were not baptized by him,

rejected the plan of God for themselves.)

Reflections: 

The Law and the Prophets were two mighty forces in the life of Israel. Having received the Law there was always the tendency to abuse it. It was the mission of the prophets to keep turning the people to the spirit of the Law and to the heart of God,  the Law-giver. However these prophets were continually rejected. Then at some point, prophecy ended . For nearly 400 years , not a single prophet arose in Israel. In the absence of prophets, religious leaders appropriated both power and  the interpretation of the Law, leading to much abuse. It is at this  juncture, John the Baptist emerged as a prophet who dared to speak God’s words, challenge  the people to conversion. Prepare the way of the Lord. 

Activity : 

Do   we have the heart to say Yes to God’s call and be a prophetic voice in our times?